Sunday, February 05, 2012
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Can I Benefit from Tailwind?

Tailwind from Anatomical Concepts (UK) is a new research-backed exercise device allowing stroke survivors and other brain injured people to exercise and improve arm function and range of motion.
To use Tailwind effectively takes effort. To qualify to use it the most important question to ask is: Do you have some forward movement at your shoulder?
Starting with your affected (weaker) arm at your side, can you swing your arm forward 3 inches from the shoulder?
If you can answer “yes” to this question, Tailwind could help you improve your arm movement.
As with any exercise program, ask your healthcare professional to make sure that you are ready for a home exercise program.

Introducing Tailwind

Here you can learn about Tailwind™from Anatomical Concepts (UK) Ltd - a unique device that clinical studies have demonstrated can permanently improve arm movement in stroke patients who have lost upper extremity function - even years after their stroke event.  The device is also helpful in improving arm function following brain injury, tumor and cerebral palsy.  Tailwind is a home-based exercise device developed by researchers at the University of Maryland Medical School.  This research-backed equipment is not a quick fix though - it takes motivation and commitment to succeed.

 

Effective for Stroke Survivors

Tailwind consists of two handles that glide along independent, resistance-free tracks. The user moves the handles along each track from different starting marks - and has auditory cues to guide when to move his or her arms.  It is a "sound-to-brain" neural pathway retraining approach that is theorised to help users with mild stroke symptoms achieve life-altering results.  As the user progresses the angles of the tracks can be changed to develop range of motion in all planes.

First of a Kind for Stroke

Tailwind from Anatomical Concepts (UK) has been demonstrated in clinical studies to permanently improve arm movement in stroke patients who have lost upper extremity function.
In published clinical studies, the science behind Tailwind was found to be a potentially useful solution in stroke rehabilitation. So don't let discouragement from years of rehab that did not deliver the results you wanted prevent you from trying new Tailwind. If you have the motivation to work with this device, research suggests it will work for you.

Grasp the idea quickly!

We have in place videos that will give a quick overview of Tailwind.
Learn about the research behind Tailwind, hear from the developers and see it in use by clients. 
A second video shows the training and setup process in more detail.
Select VIDEOS from the PRODUCT Menu or click here to start.

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Tailwind - BATRAC

An exercise device proven to improve arm movement in stroke survivors in as little as 6 weeks.
Based on the BATRAC technique

Rehabilitation
in your own hands

Symposium will review evidence

An upcoming Symposium at December's UK Stroke Forum Meeting, supported by Anatomical Concepts (UK), will review the state of the art in arm rehabilitation for severely affected stroke survivors.

Following a stroke,  being able to regain use of an affected arm and hand again is often a personal priority for individuals. Sadly, many stroke survivors feel they receive very little or no attention from their clinicians for this problem.  There are a number of reasons for this. One is a belief by some clinicians that very little can help.  Research however is much more favourable.

An ongoing challenge for physical therapists and other health care professionals is finding effective interventions to improve arm and hand function for patients with more severe paresis.  

Several studies to improve upper extremity function have limited the work to include higher functioning patients with some degree of preserved wrist or finger extension.   There is a need to identify new strategies to improve functional outcomes in those with the most severe arm and hand paresis. 

In a morning Symposium at the UK Stroke Forum meeting, Anatomical Concepts will host an educational session to present evidence related to two interventions that target the unique needs of patients with more severe deficits in motor performance and function of the upper extremity and hand. Associate Professor Sandy McCombe Waller from the University of Maryland will present the current evidence for effective strategies.

See the Synopsis for the Symposium here


The 5th UK Stroke Forum Conference takes place 30 November to 2 December 2010 at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, UK